Toxic home and offices in Sindh.Pakistan.

Toxic home and offices in Sindh.Pakistan.
BY
Farzana Panhwar
Introduction
Our daily life faces large number of chemicals just like gasoline, paint, wood treatment, mothball and house deodorizers , rug and carpet shampoos, dishwater detergent, talc powder ,aerosol hair spray and dandrouf shampoo. Our life is full of these chasmal which cause various forms of allergies and reactions. The only way out of this is we have to live in simple life and not to expose many chemicals .The following list will gives a details of the chemicals which are toxic for home and office and then we will find out the way how to avoid these chemicals in our daily life.


There are large number of non-toxic home and office equipment which is mention below.

Compound Possible source of exposure.
Styrene Disposable “Styrofoam’ cup, capping backing
1,4-Dichlorobenzene Mothballs, house deodorizers
Xylene Gasoline, paints
Ethylphenol Drinking water
OCDD( dioxins) Wood treatment, herbicide, autoexhaoust
HxCDD(dioxin) Wood treatment, herbicide, autoexhaust
Benzene Gasoline
Chlorobenzne Drinking water
Ethylbnenzene Gasoline
DDE Pesticide in produce
Touluene Gasoline
PCBs Air, water, food pollution
Chloroform Drinking water
Butylbenzyl phthalate Plastic
Heptachlor Termite control
DDT Food and air pollution.

• Furniture and floor polish contain acrylonitrile, ammonia, detergent, artificial fragrances, napthta, petroleum distillates may be dispose as aerosol spray.
• Mold and mildew cleaners contain phenol, kerosene or pentachlorphenol.This also contains formaldehyde

• Germ killing disinfectants.

It contains cresol, this chemical easily absorbed through the skin and through the mucous membrane of respiratory tract. Cresol can cause damage to the liver, kidney, lung and pancreases and spleen, it effect central nervous system and cause depression, irritability and hyperactivity germ killing disinfectant also contain phenol, ethanol, formaldehyde, ammonia and choline.

• Rug, carpet and upholstery shampoo

This contains perchloroethylene, it is human carcinogenic immediate effects are light headedness, dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, tremors, loss of appetite, feeling of disorientation .It also damage to the liver or central nervous system. Rugs, carpet, upholstery, cleaners also contain naphthalene, which is toxic inhalation, cause headache, confusion, nausea, vomiting , excessive sweating and urinary irritation. Naphthalene also suspected of causing cancer in human .Ethanol, ammonia and detergent are also ingredients.
Dishwater detergent

It contain chlorine, its exposure caused headache, fatigue, burning eyes, and difficulty in breathing

Chlorinated scouring powder

It contain chlorine bleach which is a stain remover. It effect on eyes, nose, throat, lungs, its exposure cause headaches, fatigue and difficulty in breathing. Never mix chlorine with ammonia the resulting chloramine fumes can be deadly.

Detergent and talc.

It contains asbestos which is carcinogenic

Glass cleaners

Contains ammonia with blue dye, glass cleaners in aerosol spry distribute fumes in the air.

Air freshers

It contains napththalene, phenol, cresol, ethanol, xylene and formaldehyde, these develop allergies and respiratory problems.

Dishwashing liquid

It develop ammonia which when mixed with chlorine.

2) House hold pesticides

Household pesticides are fly spray, flea bomb and roach killer, rat and mouse. Approximately 1,400 different active pesticide ingredients used in 35,000 formula, more than 100 are known to cause cancer, birth defect and mutagenic changes.
These chemical cause nausea, coughing, breathing difficulties, depression, eye irritation, dizziness, weakness, blurred vision, muscle twitching and convulsions.long term exposure effect on damage the liver, kidney and lung, can cause paralysis, sterility, suppression of immune function, brain hemorrhages, heat problem and coma.
Book Bugbuster, Getting rid of household pests without dangerous chemicals by Bernice Lifton (New york, McGrawhill paperback 1985) based on a list completed by the university of California at Berkeley.

Most dangerous

Aldicarb, carbofuran, demeton, disulfon, phosphate, Schradan, TEPP.

Dangerious

Aldrin, bufencarb, carbophenothion, chlorpyrifos, DDVP, dichlorvos, discrotophos, dieldrin, dinitrocrosol, dioxation, DNOC, endrin, EPN, methyl parathion, mexacarbate, monocrotophos, nicotine, paraquate, penta chlorophenol, phosalone, phosphamidon, propoxur.

Less dangerious

Akton, azinphosmethyl, binapacryl, BHC, chlordone, chlordimetfrom, caumaphos, crotoxyphos, crumate, diazinon, dicapthon, dichlorethyl ether dimethoate, dinobutron, endosulfon, ethion, fenthion, heptachlor, lead arsenate, lindane, metham sodium, nated, oxydemeton methyl, phosmet, toxaphene, trichlorfan.

Least dangerious

Aminozide, captan, carbaryl, chinomethionate, 2-4-, daminozide, DDT, dicofol, diquat, malathion, maneb, naphthalene acetic acid, oxythioquinox, Perthane, Propargite, equino methinate, ronnel, rotenone, TDE, temphos, tetrachlorophos, tetradifon.

Rat and mouse killer

Rat and mouse killer contains arsenic, strychinine or phosphorus

Insecticide
Contains pyrothrin, which is crushed, dried flowers of chrysanthemum cinerarifolium.

Lice shampoo

It contain Lindane which cause convulsions, seizures and cancer in laboratory animals. The popular active ingredient now a days contain pyrethrum but it added with petroleum distillates.

Tap water.

EPA has identified more than 700 pollutants that occur regularly in drinking water. The most common water pollutants are trihalmethanes or THMs, the most common of which is choroform.THMs, the most common of which is chorform.THMs are formed when chorine used as disinfectant combine with natural organic matter in water ( dead leaves and humus in soil, silt and mud) chloroform can cause liver and kidney damage and central nervous system depression and is suspected human carcinogen. The other pollutant is Fluoride it reduce dental cavities in children but large amount weaken the immune system and cause heart disease, genetic damage birth defect and cancer. The tapes are made up with cadmium, copper, iron, lead and zinc, cadmium cause kidney damage, anemia, heart problem, high blood pressure, birth defect and cancer, which is responsible for headache nervous problem, menthol retardation, learning disabilities in children, birth defect and possible cancer. Asbestos cement pipes release carcinogenic asbestos. The polyvinylchoride (PVC) pipes contains methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), dimethyl formamide (DMF), cyclohexanone (CH), tetrahydrofuran (THF), carbon tetrachloride, tetrachlorethene, trichloroethane, di( ethyl hexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phtalate water standing in PVC pipe for any length because contaminated with carcinogenic vineyl choride water absorb nitrates, pesticides, industrial solvent due to industrial damping.

Pollutant in water divided in to 4 groups.

1) Particulates

(minute bits of material that do not dissolve in water) asbestos, arsenic, heavy methals ( aluminum, cobalt, chromium, nickel, mercury, lead, cadmium, manganese, silver), rust, dirt, sediments.

2) Dissolve solids

(solid materials that decompose in water) fluoride, nitrates, sulfate, salts
.
3) Volatile chemicals

(nonparticulate substances that evaporate) chlorine, chloramine, chloroform and THMs, chlorinated hydrocarbons, pesticides(DDT, dialdrin, lindane, heptachlor)PCBs, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, trcihlorethylene, xylene, toulene.

4) Microrganisms

(microscopic plant and animal life) bacteria, viruses.
The various methods of water purification’s are as under:
Activated carbon ( in granular or block form) reverse osmosis and distillation.
- To remove particles or dissolve solid distillation or reverse osmosis.
- To remove coltile chemical-activated carbon
- To remove microorganism-distillation.

Asprin can cause following.

-Interfere with blood clotting and regular use cause iron deficiency anemia.
- Tigger or aggravate peptic ulcer and cause stomach upset, heat burn or bleeding in the stomach.
- Produce allergic reaction in an estimated 2 out of 1000 people in some asthma suffers. Reactions can range from rashes, hives and swelling, to life-threatening asthma attack.
- Stimulate the brain and spinal cord, followed by central nervous sytem depression, which appear as failure, circulatory collapse, comma and death.
- In high doses, interfere with liver function.
- Asprin toxicity includes ringing in the ears, bearing loss, headache, dizziness, vomiting, rapid breathing, extreme irritability and bizarre behavior.
- Acetaminophen is used for pain relief and fever reductions its overdose can cause sever liver damage, even death.
- Ibuprofen is painkiller its effects include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, pain, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, stiff neck, headache, fever, dizziness, depression, insomnia, blurred vision, or swelling.
- Heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, and nausea, antacid are used to relieve heat burn, sour stomach and acid indigestion caused by excess stomach acid.
- Some antacid contains aluminum compounds, which is dangerous for kidney problem or those people or kidney dialysis. Aluminum also caused Alzhemers’s disease, a form of early senility
- Antiacid used Bicarbonate compounds especially Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and potassium bicarbonate, they increase the blood pressure these having high blood pressure.
- Prolong use of laxatives impair normal bowl function and people become dependet on laxatives.
- Antidiarrheal drug diphenoxylate hydrochloride it is narcotic substance that can cause addictive symptoms and overdose could be fatal.

Allergic Hay fever.

Allergic patient takes antihistamines which block histamine receptor sites on these cells and prevent the condition that cause the symptoms .Antihistamine cause dry mouth and drowsiness.

Cold and cough

Cold medications include cough suppressors and expectorants, nasal decongestants, sore throat, medication, painkillers/fever reduction.
Cough suppressors temporarily inhibit the impulse to cough. codenine and dextromethorphan act as brain to depress the activity of cough center. People having asthama, emphysema should avoid cough suppressors for relief. Dextromethorphan can cause stomach upset, drowsiness and unconsciousness
Nasal decongestants constrict swollen blood vessels in the lining of nose and sinuses, which are the primary cause of stuffy noses, when the drugt war off, the blood vessel may swell even more than for, make stuffy nose sores
.
Insomnia

Sleeping aid contains antihistamine methapyrilene , which cause cancer in ,laboratory animals.

Denture cleaner

It contain salts Sodium perborate, sodium chloride magnesium sulfate (Epson salt), calcium chloride, sodium carbonate and trisodium phosphate.Denture cleaner also contain artifical color and flavor and preservatives
• Feminine deodorants contain talc which contain asbestos which is carcinogenic.
• Femine douches contain ammonia, detergents, artificial fragrance and phenol.

• Aerosol hair spray and styling mousse

Common ingredient of hari spray include aerosol propellants, alcohol, carcinogenic polyvinylpyrrolidene plastic (PVP), formaldehyde and artificial fragrance.

Dandruff shampoo

It contain Selenium sulfide.Recorcinol easily absorb through skin can lead to inflammation of the inner eyelid, skin, irritation, dizziness, restlessness, rapid heartbeat, breathing difficulty, drowsiness, sweating, unconsciousness and convulson. Shampoo also contain cresol, carcinogenic polyvinylpyralidione plastic (PVP) and formaldehyde.Written as quaternium-15 sahmpoo also contains 2-bromo-2-nitroprone-1, 3-diol (BNPD) it create carcinogenic nitrosamines can cause carcinogenic combine in a bottle Triethanolamine (TEA) or diethanolamine (DEA)

Fluroride mouthwash and toothpaste

It contains formaldehyde, artificial color, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide.Fluoride toothpaste contains ammonia, ethanol, artificial color, and flavor, formaldehyde, mineral oil sugar and carcinogenic polyvinyprrolidane plastic (PVP) and Saccharin, which cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Astringents

Most astringents are just alchol with artificial fragrance and artificial color .Some astringents are very harsh can burn skin perfumes can irritate the skin and cause allergic rashes. Astringents can damage delicate membrane .fumes from alcohol can irritate nasal passage and cause nausea drowsiness and dizziness.

Nail polish and nail-polish remover

The primary ingredient of most nail-polish removers is the solvent acetone. Nail-polish contains phenol, toluene and xylene also contain formaldedyde resin which can cause discoloration and bleeding under the nail.

Hair-removing products

Hair removing products contain ammonium thioglycolate which can cause sever skin rashes, selling redness and breaking of small blood vessels under the skin.
Hair color

Hair-dye products contains coal-tar-dyes, ammonia, detergents, hydrogen peroxide and lead. The scalp is very porous and these chemicals can easily be absorbed.

Permanent wave hair

Permanent wave solution contains ammonium thioglycolate, it cause skin rashes on your hand and scalp, redness, swelling and hemorrhages under your skin, because scalp is very porous substance can easily be carried in to blood stream.

Superabsorbent tampons

Tampons are associated with toxic shock syndrome (TSS), include fever 102F or more, vomiting, diarrhea, Sunburn-type rash and subsequent skin peeling rapid drop in blood pressure may cause fatal shock, it is found staphylococcus bacterial may be present .Tampon and sanitary pad contain dioxins in bleaching paper. In Great Britain report 130 parts per trillion (ppt) dioxins remain in tampons and 400ppt in sanitary pad.Dioxin presence in tetrachlordibenzodioxin (TCDD) a known carcinogen, cause birth defect and Sterlity, liver damage and suppression of immune system.

Contraceptives

The use of oral contraceptive associated with increase risk of serious conditions including thromboembolism, stroke, myocardial infarction, liver tumor, gall balder disease, visual disturbances , fatal abnormalities and hypertension.

Perfume and aftershave

It contains artificial fragrance and alcohol scented product may contain formaldehyde, phenol, trichlorethylene and cresol, all toxic solvent.

Antiperspirants and Deodorants

Antiperspirants contain aerosol propellants, ammonia, alcohol, formaldehyde, fragrance and aluminum-chlorohydrate can cause infections in the fair follicles of the armpit and skin irritations .Aluminum from other sources has been associated with brain disorders including Alzheimer’s disease. Nonantiperspirant deodorants contain the bacteria-killing ingredient triclosan which cause liver damage when absorb through the skin.

Bubble bath

It contain detergent, artificial fragrance, it causes skin rashes, irritation, urinary tract, bladder and kidney infection.

Deodorant soap

It contain ammonia, formaldehyde, phenol and artificial fragrance .The most commonly used bactericide is trichlorcarban which may cause cancer.
Cosmetics

Lipstick contain polyvinylpyrrolidone plastic (PVP) saccharin, mineral oil, artificial color, artificial fragrance.The mascara contain formaldehyde, alcohol various plastic resins. Face powder contain talc contain carcinogenic asbestos and mineral oil.

Talcum powder

Contain carcinogenic asbestos fibers

Disposable diapers

Contain synthetic fibers, plastics, 90 parts trillion dioxins which can cause cancer, birth defect, liver damage and immune system suppression.

Toilet paper and tissue

Contain formaldehyde, artificial fragrance, dyes, dioxins, about 90 parts per trillion.

Food items

Sulfites

Is used to prevent spoilage and discoloration sulfites appear on package label as Sulfur dioxide, Sodium sulfite, Sodium and potassium bisulfate, Sodium and potassium metabisulfite. These are used to keep food fresh.

Nitrates.

All kind of process meat poultry fish, bacon, sausage, luncheon meat and hot dogs to preserve pink color and inhibit the growth of bacterial that cause botulism food poisoning. Nitrates themselves are not particularly harmful but when they combine with amines in food they form carcinogenic nitrosmaines .Artificial color pose cancer risk show carcinogenic in animals studies .Artifical color, BHA, BHT and artificial flavor linked to hyper activity and behavioral disturbance in children.MSG is a popular additive that is used as flavor enhance its effects are weakness, heat palpitation, cold sweat and headache .Animal study show MSG can cause brain damge, studnted skeletion development, obesity and female sterility
Food preservative ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA), large exposure cause dizziness, sneezing, headache, nausea and asthma attack.
Many food item wind up contaminated by their packaging. Some canned foods are popular lead solders .Low level exposure to lead produced permanent neuropsychological defect and behavior disorder in children.
Other packaged foods come in aerosol or pressurized containers when inhale aerosol are known cause of lung diseases in normal use and death in high concentration. Plastic used to package processed food and may times can leach in to food with unknown health effect.
Food

Three major classes of chemical used as pesticide on food: Organochlorine, organophospahte and carbamates, organochlorines cause cancer, birth defects and genetic damage in animals. Organophospahte widely used insecticide in pest protection by blocking the action of chemical that aids in the transmission of nerve impulses, those impulses and transmitted continuously leading to convulsions and death. Some organophosphate have been found to cause genetic damage in animals and other are believed to cause serious change in brain activity. Carbamate cause birth defect, genetic damage, reproductive disorders, organochorine, DDT, 2-4, 5-T, aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, chloradane, endrin and BHC.
Some oranges are dyed orange with coal-tar dye Red No.32 known to cause cancer in laboratory animals. The fruit are degraded with ethylene gas to remove the chlorophyll from the rind
• Some potatoes and onion are treated with malesic hydrazide, p potential human carcinogenic mushroom are fumigated with formaldehyde.
• The U.S.government have identified 143 drug and pesticides that leave reside in raw meat and poultry of which 42 are known to cause or causing cancer, 20 can cause birth defect and 6 can cause mutation.
• Many chickens, ducks and turkey suffer from retarded growth, eye damage, blindness, lethargy, kidney damage, disturbed sexual development, bone and muscle weakness, brain damage, paralysis, internal bleeding, anemia, physical deformities as a result of vitamin deficiency. Chicken feed contain artificial color to give healthy color to under nourished skin. After slaughter, carcasses are washed in chlorine solution to kill salmonella bacteria. Chlorine residue may remain as the bird go to market, 100% of all poultry, 90% of pig and veal calves and 60% of cattle are fed antibiotics as regular part of their diet. 75% dog given Sulfa drugs. Organochorine pesticide used in feed grain can accumulate very high level in animal fat.
• Arsenic frequently add to the feed to speed maturation and stimulate egg production.

• Fish and sea food

Fish are toxic with mercury and carcinogenic Sea food preservatives are Sulfites, Sodium benzsoate, polytrisorbates and polyphosphates.

• Sweeteners

• Contain Saccharin, Aspartame (Nutra sweet equal) Natural sweetner made with phynylalanine and aspartic acid.Large doze of phenylalanine are toxic to brain can cause mental retardation and seizures with pheylketonuria a genetic disorder.
• It contribute to headache, depression, mood swing, high blood pressure, insomnia and behavior problem. Aspartame may cause birth defect such as mild retardation.

• Food poisoning


• Salmonella, Clostridium perfringenus, Staphylococcus and Clostridium botdlinum little bacterial organism. It cause abdominal pains, diarrhea, headache in extreme causes death. Salmonella is most common cause of food poisoning. Salmonella mostly found in rawmeat, poultry, egg, milk, fish product made from these foods chocolate, yeast species also contain bacteria. Symptom of Salmonella poisoning are fever, headache, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort and vomiting.
• Clostridium perfringenus is disease causing microorganism.
• Staphylococcus organisms are present in the respiratory passage, can multiply in meat, poultry, egg products, egg, tuna, chicken, potato or macaroni salad. If stalk germs are allowed to multiply high level, they form a toxin that can not be boiled or baked away. Symptoms of poisoning include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, clostridium botulinum poisoning is rare, sometime it is fatal.
• Aspergillus flavus or Aspergillus parasiticus Aflatoxin found in corn, wheat, barley, rice, fig, grain, sorghum, cotton seed (Brazil nut and pea nut ) cause hepatitis and liver cancer in human

• Food irradiation


• Irradiation food may cause leukemia, other form of cancer and kidney disease.

• Cookware.


Copper and aluminum cookware, aluminum salts from other source of exposure have been connected with brain disorders such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, behavior abnormalities poor memory, impaired visual-motor coordination, Aluminum cookware may cause indigestion, heartburn, intestinal gas, constipation and headache. Chromium and nickel may be dissolved in to every food cooked in it.

Microwave ovens

Microwave emission up to 1 miliwatt per square centimeter (1mW/Cm2) when the oven is purchased and up to 5mW/cm2 after the oven has been in use. Exposure to microwaves on the jon cookplain of headache fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbance, weakness, increase incidence of viral infection, low heat rate, changed EEGs increased thyroid function

• Barbecued and broiled food.

• Most barbecued and broiled food contain benzo(a) Pyrene, a proven cancer-causing substance.Grilling meat closer to the coal produce more of the carcinogen than meat grilled father from the heat source.


• Alcholic beverage.

Alcholism can cause heart disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis of liver, decrease resistance to disease, shortened life span, nutritional deficiencies, cancer, fatal alchol syndrome, brain damage, stroke, phlebitis, varicoseveins, reduce testosterone level on males. Loss of libido, breast enlargement, loss of facial hair.

Vitamin and mineral dietary supplements

They may contain BHA,BHT, artificial color, artificial flavor, mineral oil, sugar sulfites and talc. The bright color coating may made up with plastic and preserved with formaldehyde.

Synthetic fibers

It contain nylon, polyester and acrylic

Flame resistance fabrics

There are 3 types of flame resistant fabrics:
1) Synthetic fabrics made from fibrous for which flame resistance is inherent in the fiber
2) Synthetic fabrics made from fibbers to which flame retardant chemicals are added during manufacture
3) Fabrics to which flame-retardant chemical are added after the fabric is woven

Fabric dyes.

Contain fabrics contained highly carcinogenic benzidines, one of them, dichlorobenzidine easily absorb through human skin

Non-iron bed linens and permanent press clothing

No-iron bed linens, permanent press clothing and all the polyester cotton fabrics are treated with formaldehyde resin finishes to keep them wrinkle free. Symptoms from formaldehyde vapor inhalation can include tiredness insomnia, headache, respiratory problem, coughing, watery eye, and excessive thirst.

Laundry detergent

It cause flue and asthma symptoms breathing air that contain detergent dust

Spray starch

Spray starch contain toxic chemical as formaldehyde, phenol, pentachlorphenol and aerosol spry
Dry cleaning

It contain perchlorethylene most popular dry cleaning solvent. It can cause cancer, liver damage, depression of central nervous system, light heartedness, dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, loss of appetite and disorientation.

Spot remover

Contain perchloroethylene. These fumes are carcinogenic, highly toxic, light headache, dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, loss of appetite and disorientation.

Mothball

Mothball contain paradichlorobenzene, irritation to nose, throat and lung, liver and kidney.

Poisonous house plants

Some plants can be deadly Azaleas, chrysanthemum, creeping Charlie, crocus, hydrangeas, lily-of –the valley, misletoe, morning glory, oleander and rhododendron all cause illness require medical attention if eaten.
Other plants contains substances that are irritating to the skin, mouth and tongue.In some cases stomach upset and breathing difficulties may occur. Anthurium, Bostonivy, calla lily, dieffen bachia, philodendron, pothos, shamrock, spathiphyllum and examples of plants that fail in to this category.
Amaryllis, buttercup, carnation, cyclamen, daffodil, daisy, ficus, benjamine, geranium, bolly berry, Irish, poinsettia, pyracancha berry and tulop bulbn can cause skin rashes if contact if eaten cause nausea, vomiting , diarrhea and abdominal cramp may results.

Gas appliances, kerosene heater, fire places and wood stove

Kerosene, or wood to produce heat for cooking or warmth is the possibility of carbonmonoxide.Its symptom include sleepiness, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, irritability and inability to concentrate as poisoning progresses.The victim cause nausea , vomiting, softness of breath, convulsion, unconsciousness and finally death.
The appliances can also emit other combustion by-product pollutants, including formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen cyanide, nitric oxide and various from various organic chemicals , symptom of exposure include eye, nose, throat , irritation, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, decrease hearing slight impairment of vision or brain functioning, personality changes, seizures, psychosis, heat palpitation, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, bronchitis, asthma attack and breathing problem. People with empysems, asthma, angina or chemical sensitivities should be cautious.

Asbestos.

Asbestos is a mineral fiber fond in rock that has been cause cancer of lung and stomach

Electromagnetic fields

Laboratory studies on animal cell have clearly shown that electromagnetic field from 60 hertz alternating current emit radiation that can interact with individual cell and organ to produce biological change.

Plastics

A large group of synthetic material made from petroleum or coal, plastic. Plastic vapors in the air we breathe, plastic in clothing may rub against our skin. Plastic may be absorbed in to our food from packaging and storage containers. Plastic may be in water we drink from plastic pipes or storage bottles. The polyester-covered polyurethane foam matters was contributing factor in sexual importance.
There are basically two types of plastics thermoplastics and thermoses.

Thermoplastics

Are easy to recognize they are soft bendable having certain amount of flexibility because of their loose chemical structure, vinyl plastic including vinyl chloride and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are most dangerous plastics containers of toiletries, cosmetics, household, chemicals, crib bumpers, floor tiles, food packaging, garden horses, handbag, inflatable toys, beach ball, swimming pool magnetic recording type, pacifiers and teether, paper finishes, photograph, records, rain coat, shower curtain, squeeze toys and umbrella.
PVC release vinyl chloride, which can cause cancer, birth defect, genetic changes, indigestion, chronic bronchitis, ulcer, skin disease, deafness, vision failure and liver dysfunction.
Acrylic plastics are made from acrylonitrile a suspected human carcinogenic.Products made from acrylic plastic include acrylic fibers ( clothes, blankets, carpets), adhesive, contact lens, denture, floor wax, food preparation equipment, Lucite (carpet backing, disposable diapers, felts, filters, sanitary napkins shoe liners), apints, paper, coating, plexiglas and wood finishes. Acrylonitrile cause breathing difficulties, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, weakness, headache and fatigue.
Polyethylene is suspected human carcinogenic product made from polyethylene include carpet fibers, chewing gum, coffee, stirrers, drinking lasses, food containers and wrappers, heat sealed plastic packaging, kitchen ware, paper coating, plastic bag, garbage cans, squeeze bottles. The most popular fluorocarbon plastic is tetrafluoroetylne known as Teflon.Tetrafluoroetylene can irritating to eye, nose and throat. Can cause breathing difficulties .Teflon is used as non stick coating on clothes iron, cookware, ironing board, cover, plumbing and tools.
Common plastic are made from styrene monomer polystyrene (Sty monomer polystyrene (Styrofoam) and ABS (acrylonitrile/butadiene/Styrene) plastics. These fumes irritating to your eyes, nose, throat, cause dizziness and unconsciousness
Polyster fiber and film cause eye and respiratory tract irritation and acute skin rashes its product include bedding, clothing disposable diapers, food packaging, magnetic recording type, nonwoven disposable filters, sanitary napkins, tampons and upholstery. Nylon is a polyamide plastic. The product that are made with nylon filaments and fibers include artificial grass, automotive upholstery, bristles on tooth brush, hair brushes, paint brushes, clothes, fishing lines, hosiery mascara, pen tip, rugs and carpets surgical structure and tennis racket.
Thermosets

Is a soft plastics, because the plastic molecules in thermoset plastics are tightly bound it become difficult to become vaporize mostly are non toxic in comparison to thermoplastics. There are however two thermoset plastics that pose significant hazardous.

Urea-formaldehyde plastic resins.

Found in particle board, plywood, building insulation, wet strength paper ( tissue, toilet paper, paper towels) formaldehyde is suspected human carcinogen cause birth defect and genetic changes in bacteriological studies. Its symptoms include cough, swelling of throat, watery eye, breathing problem, headache, rashes, tiredness,, excessive, thirst, nausea, nose bleeding, insomnia, disorientation and asthma attacks.

Polyurethane foam

Polhyurethane foam release toulene disocyanate, which can produce sever lung problem. Polyvinylchloride turn in to hydrochloric acid burning polyurethane foam and polyester release toxic unreacted toulene disisocyanate

Synthetic matteresses and stuffed furniture

Polyurethane foam plastic is sprayed with free retardants and cover with polyester plastic fabrics. Polyurethane foam cause bronchitis coughing, skin and eye problem. It also relase toluene diisocyanate, which cause sever lung problem. Stuffed furniture made from polurethane foam plastic can covered with acrylic, polyester or polyuvinyl chloride plastic cover most upholstery fabrics coating with formaldehyde resin to resist strains, which can induce eye, nose, throat irritation may cause cancer.

Synthetic wall to wall carpeting.

Synthetic wall- to –wall carpeting and area rugs are made from acrylic polyester and nylon plastic are made from acrylic polyester and nylon plastic fiber with various formaldehyde based finishes. These release vapors of ethylbenzene, formaldehyde, methacrylic acid, toluene, amines and styrene, carpeting include xylene, benzene, acrylicoligomers and 32 other toxics such as cyclopentadiene-ethenyl-2-ethylene.

Particle board and urea formaldehyde foam insulation

Particleboard is made by pressing small wood shavings together with urea-formaldyhde-resin its low concentration cause cough, swelling, irritation throat, watery eyes, headache, rashes, excessive, thirst, nausea, nose bleeding, disorientation and many other symptoms
Another common product made with urea-formaldehyde resin is urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFF1) it cause respiratory problem, dizziness, nausea eye and throat irritation

Ionization-type smoke dectectors.

All battery powered (ionization type smoke detectors that contains radioactive material may be potential hazards.

Radon

Radon is a natural radioactive gas that result from the decay of radioactive material that may be present in rock, soil, minerals water and natural gas. It cause lung cancer in heigh concentration. Two of the progeny emit alpha particles that have the potential to inflict 10-20 times the damage to biological tissue than similar dose of radiation from X-ray.

Lead

Lead is naturally occurring metallic element its toxicity include abdominal pain, loss of appetite, constipation, muscle pain and weakness, irritability, a metallic taste in mouth, excessive thirst, nausea, vomiting, headache, insomnia, depression, lethargy. Low level exposure cause anemia, stomach ailment permanent neuropsychological defect, brain damage nervous system disorder and death.

Second hand tobacco smoke

Second-hand tobacco smoke as known cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers.

Conclusion
There are large number of chemicals which we use in daily life they are present in our home and office, now we need to have to make our life as simple as possible so we use and expose less chemicals in daily life.


Author Mrs.Farzana Panhwar
Address 157-C.Unit.No.2.Latifabad
Hyderabad Sindh Pakistan.
Telephone 9222-3862570 & 9221-5830816
Fax 9222-3860410 & 9221-5830826
Email farzanapanhwar@ hotmail.com
Email farzanapanhwar@yahoo.com